Breaking Down the 2012 Big 12 Schedule: November

Now it's time to move on to the final month of the season and it's going to be a good one (the games for December 1st are also included here).

It's probably safe to say the race to the Big 12 championship is going down to the season's final weeks with November being loaded with plethora of great games. The conference standings entering November could very well have no resemblance to the final standings when the regular season comes to an end on December 1st.

Here we go.

Best Game of the Month:

Oklahoma @ West Virginia - Saturday, November 16th

There were a slew of candidates which could fit the bill here, but on paper five months before the season, the game between the Sooners and Mountaineers has the most intrigue for a myriad of reasons. Landry Jones vs. Geno Smith. Bob Stoops vs. Dana Holgorsen. Oklahoma's first trip to Morgantown. And not to forget, Big 12 and possibly national title implications. What more could you ask for?

Toughest Schedule of the Month:

Tie - Oklahoma State and Oklahoma

The Cowboys open the month by hosting Kansas State and West Virginia and finish the season by traveling to Oklahoma and Baylor. It's no easier for the Sooners having road games at West Virginia and TCU with home contests against Baylor and Oklahoma State.

Both TCU (@WV, K-State, @ Texas, OU - welcome to the league, Horned Frogs) and Kansas State (Ok. St., @ TCU, @ Baylor, Texas) could also stake their claim to the toughest schedule in November. The only reason it's not a four way tie is because both the Wildcats and Horned Frogs have a bye week during the closing stretch. Oklahoma and Oklahoma State have five consecutive games to end the season.

Look no further than these four teams for evidence November in the Big 12 is going to be beyond good.

You Won't Want to Miss

Oklahoma State @ Kansas State - Saturday, November 3rd.

The Wildcats lost only two Big 12 games last season. One of those was to Oklahoma State, 52-45. The Wildcats get OSU on their home field this time around, however, and will have the experience factor on their side in 2012.

TCU @ West Virginia - Saturday, November 3rd.

One year ago, these two teams had no idea they would even be in the Big 12. My how fast things can change. TCU, of course, has history with the former SWC teams but the two newcomers could form a solid rivalry going forward.

Baylor @ Oklahoma - Saturday, November 10th.

Thankfully for OU, Robert Griffin won't be playing in this one as he cemented his Heisman trophy in 2011 with his performance against the Sooners. The good news for the Sooners is that Landry Jones is back and will get another shot at a Baylor defense that still has plenty of holes to fill.

West Virginia @ Oklahoma State - Saturday, November 10th

How many features will ESPN run the week leading up to this one about Dana Holgorsen's return to Stillwater? The over-under on this game might be 100.

Oklahoma State @ Oklahoma - Saturday, November 24th.

Bedlam. The Cowboys manhandled to Sooners in 2011 and here's guessing the Sooners haven't forgotten. Heck, the Sooners likely haven't forgotten the entire 2011 season when their instate rival stole the spotlight and won a BCS bowl while the Sooners watched from home.

Texas @ TCU - Saturday, November 24th.

Texas has maintained a long dominance in their home state. Will that change with the addition of TCU in the Big 12? TCU will want to prove they belong against their former SWC mates.

Texas @ Kansas State - Saturday, December 1st.

The Wildcats own the Longhorns. How did this happen? Ron Prince even beat Texas twice. Mack Brown is 2-6 against the Wildcats during his career. Getting win number three and breaking a four game losing streak to KSU won't be easy in Manhattan.

The Best of the Rest

Kansas State @ TCU - Saturday, November 10th.

Bill Snyder vs. Gary Patterson. This should be good.

Texas Tech vs. Baylor - Saturday, November 24th.

Both of these teams could be fighting for a bowl berth when they meet at Cowboys' Stadium.

Oklahoma @ TCU - Saturday, December 1st.

The Big 12 is going to be a grind for their Horned Frogs in their first season. Will they have anything left against Oklahoma to end the season?

Kansas @ West Virginia - Saturday, December 1st.

How bad will it be for Kansas in Charlie Weis' first season? I don't know, but it's scary to think how many points West Virginia could put up on the Jayhawks in Morgantown.

So who is going to earn the Big 12's BCS bowl berth in 2012? The race is wide open which will make for plenty of debate over the summer. Oklahoma should be the favorite but don't count out Texas, Oklahoma State, Kansas State, West Virginia and even TCU.

Who would have thought that after losing Texas A&M and Missouri, the Big 12 might be even tougher in 2012?